Member Spotlight June 2019
Emily Anderson
Member since January 2018
How did you start climbing?
Emily: My first experience climbing was when I was 17 and living in Colorado. I went with my brother and his friend to North Table Mountain in Golden. I immediately loved it, but didn’t start regularly climbing until I moved to WA several years later and decided to get a membership at Edgeworks.
Why do you climb at Edgeworks?
Emily: Edgeworks has a very special, welcoming community. I always tell people, I have never been to a gym where I have met so many friendly and genuinely awesome individuals. I also love all the unique spaces and different ways you can challenge yourself physically in addition to the walls, like the campus boards, weight rooms, and yoga studio. I also often do homework and work on my computer at the upstairs tables. Really, Edgeworks has become a bit of a second home.
What do you do when you’re not climbing?
Emily: When I am not climbing, you can probably find me at work or at school. I am a server at Stack 571 Whiskey bar and a student at the University of Washington-Tacoma, studying Psychology and Education. I also really enjoy playing acoustic guitar and singing, hanging out with my family and friends, and hiking/backpacking around the PNW!
Where is your favorite place to climb outside?
Emily: So far, I have only been climbing outside in three different places. Once in Golden, Leavenworth, and exit 38, so really I have just started to dip my toes in outdoor climbing. Although I love the scenery and atmosphere of climbing in Leavenworth, I would have to say as of now I really enjoy sport climbing and all the options for sport that exit 38 has for this. That being said I really want to take a trip down to Smith Rock soon!
What are some interesting facts that you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?
Emily: I am actually currently conducting a research project on Women and Rock Climbing, and using Edgeworks as well as other climbing locations as field sites for observation. I’m nearing the end of my research, and have learned so much and met so many great people through the process.
Which do you prefer: top rope, lead, or bouldering?
Emily: Right now I love top roping, but leading is in the near future for me 🙂 My favorite projects would probably have to be stemming projects and routes with mostly crimps!
